Game Changer

Use internet research and class discussion to answer the following questions.


1) What was the “Moneyball”approach that Billy Beane and Peter Brandt applied to the Oakland Athletics 2002 season? Was it an “art” or a “science”? What single statistic did they boil their value consideration down to? (In class research/discussion)
To build a team based off the thier budget, it is a science because they were using computers and satistics, OBP
2) What is the equation used to calculate OBP? (In class research/discussion)

3) What is design? (In class research/discussion)

To prepare the preliminary sketch or the plans for (a work to be executed)

4) Describe 3 situations where movie characters (intentionally or not) applied a step from the PLTW 12 Step Design Process. Explain both the (a) situation as well as (b) how the step is relevant:
1 -When he was in the scout room with the scouts and they were brain storming

2 -

3 -


5) What is “Leadership”? List the three aspects of leadership that we come up with in class. (In class research/discussion

1 - Commitment2 -Alignment
3 - Direction


6) Describe 3 circumstances from the story where a character exercised effective leadership:
1 - When Billy told Pete that he

2 -
3 -



7) According to the movie, what was the A’s record at the start of their winning streak? 76:54         
8) What does this ratio simplify to (roughly)? 1.5:1                                                                                
9) How long was the A’s record setting winning streak? 20 games won                                                                                                                                                                10) Given the A’s win/loss ratio at the start of the streak (listed two questions above), what are the odds of winning 20 games in a row? Run the numbers. (In class research/discussion)
1=(x)(.000037) = .5%

11) Based on your calculation, do you think the A’s got lucky or was there something to the Moneyball approach?
I believe there was a lot of luck, but and the same time the Moneyball approch did actually work                                                                                                                                                                12) Did Billy Beane strictly apply the “science” of Moneyball to his management approach? Was there an “art” to his efforts as well? Describe a circumstance where he broke from the Moneyball approach to make a positive change for the team.
He mostly used science, but while putting his team together they trade Giambi because of his bad habits

Bonus Question (look into this if you’ve finished ahead of the class):
Money Ball was originally a book. What author wrote the book? What other books has this author written? Is there a theme to his writing?
Michael Lewis, Boomerang, The Big Shot, Home Game, Panic
It's "Oscar Season", will Moneyball win the Oscar for any of the categories it's up for?